Micah Knorr

Micah J. Knorr (born January 9, 1975 in Orange, California) is a former American football punter in the National Football League, who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. He played college football at Utah State University.

Early life

Knorr attended Orange High School in Orange, California, and was a two-time All-CIF selection. He finished his prep career with 81 points, and as a senior, averaged 42 yards per punt. He moved on to play for Utah State where he was a four-year starter at placekicker.

As a junior, he earned All-Big West honors after making 12-of-19 field goals (tying for the league lead). The next year he received second-team All-Big West honors after making 12-of-21 field goals and 36-of-47 extra points. He finished his collegiate career with a school record of 39 field goals made.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

After being out of football for three years, Knorr was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2000 NFL Draft. He made the team because the team not only valued his punting skills, but he also won the kickoff and holder specialist roles. As a rookie he was third in the NFC with a 43.7 punting average, before suffering a hairline fracture in his lower left leg against the Cincinnati Bengals, that forced him to miss two games.^[1] He finished the season fourth in the NFC and 11th in the NFL, with a franchise rookie record of 42.8 gross punting average. His net punting average of 35.8 was fifth best in the NFC, tied for 14th in the NFL and was the fourth highest rookie mark in team history. His 17.5 touchback percentage on kickoffs was the second highest percentage in the league.

In 2001, he struggled averaging 40.2 yards per punt, but downed 25 punts inside the 20-yard line, tying for the fifth most in team history. He had greater success on kickoffs, averaging 65.8 yards, with the opponent's average starting position being the 26.8-yard line (ninth in the NFC and tying for 12th in the NFL). His best performances was when he punted 5 times for 215 yards (43.0 yards per punt average) on October 28 against Arizona, and on November 22 against Denver, when he punted 8 times for 364 yards (45.5 yards per punt avg).

He was waived on October, 22, 2002, after making a series of mistakes in critical games.^[2]

Denver Broncos (first stint)

Knorr was signed as free agent by the Denver Broncos on October 30, 2002, after the team released punter Tom Rouen.^[3] Knorr played in eight games, tying for fifth in the AFC in touchbacks (7). He punted 24 times for 906 yds. (37.8 average).

In 2003, Knorr ranked fourth in the AFC (7th NFL) in punting average (43.2 yards) and helped lead his team to the AFC Wild Card Game. His best performances were on September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals when he punted 5 times for 235 yards (47.0 yards avg.) and on December 28 against the Green Bay Packers, when he punted seven times for 297 yards (43.2 yards avg.). During the course of the season, he added two special teams tackles and was named as an AFC Pro Bowl Alternate.

Knorr was waived on December 9, 2004, after ranking 21st in the league in gross punting average (41.5 yards) and being last in net average (34.2 yards) for the season.

New York Jets

On January 25, 2005, he was signed by the New York Jets.^[4] He was waived on August 27.^[5]

Carolina Panthers

On March 10, 2006, he was signed by the Carolina Panthers. He was released on June 20.

Denver Broncos (second stint)

The Denver Broncos signed on July 27, 2006. He would later be cut on September 2, 2006, when the team acquired Todd Sauerbrun.^[6]

Detroit Lions

Knorr tried out for the Detroit Lions in 2007 after turning down a job as a middle school history teacher.^[7] He was released on September first.^[8]

Personal life

Knorr served as a teacher and football coach at Central High School in Barstow, California. He is currently a teacher and coach at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas.^[9]

He was featured in the book A Few Seconds of Panic.^[10]

References